Eight cats saved in Lancaster home fire

Firefighters were able to save eight cats from a burning home in the Antelope Valley early Wednesday morning, with some of the cats receiving CPR.

The fire broke out just before midnight in a single-family home in the 300 block of East Lingard Street, according to Inspector Tony Akins with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Firefighters responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls and were told there were 15 to 20 cats trapped in the burning building.

Firefighters at the scene gave some of the cats oxygen and reported that the cat’s owner was giving some mouth-to-mouth in an attempt to save them.

All human occupants were able to escape unscathed, but eight cats perished in the fire despite attempts to save them, according to Akins. The eight living cats were transported to a local shelter to be checked out.

“We have five adults and three kittens being examined right now,” said Betsy Webster, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles County Animal Control. She said the adult cats showed signs of smoke inhalation but are alert and active. The kittens appear to be in good health and will be transported to foster families after an observation period.

All of the cats were seized by the county after the fire, due to the combination of the number of cats and the condition of the home, Webster said. A hearing will be held in the coming weeks to determine if they can be returned to their owner.

The cause of the fire was ruled accidental, Akins said, involving an electrical issue and causing an estimated $120,000 in damage to the structure and contents.

Inspectors from the city’s Planning Department will determine if the house can be saved.